By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Two members of the Rochester Americans who were in dire need of a boost in confidence both recently found it, though not in the same place, or on the same ice.
Captain Mason Jobst solved his goal-scoring drought – a colossal 22-game slump – by continuing to do what he always does, which is work. Anton Wahlberg, meanwhile, used a chance to dominate for Team Sweden at the World Junior Championship to remember just how good he is.
The strut in their step restored, both played significant roles in the Amerks 5-1 thumping of the Utica Comets on Friday night in front of 7,557 fans at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
Wahlberg scored the Amerks first goal while Jobst scored one and set up another by Isak Rosen. Nikita Novikov and Lukas Rousek also found the net while goalie Devon Levi was stellar in making 29 saves.
“Goal-scorers, when they’re scoring, they just have a little bit more energy in them,” assistant coach Nathan Paetsch said after the Amerks ran their winning streak to seven and improved to 22-9-3.
Wahlberg started a string of five unanswered goals by Amerks, tying the game 8:09 into the second period with his fifth goal of the season – and first in the American Hockey League since Nov. 13. But he had played well representing his homeland in the WJC, producing four goals and four assists in the seven games.
That gave him renewed energy when he rejoined the Amerks this week.
“I had a bad streak of games (before he joined Team Sweden) and it (his confidence) was pretty low actually,” said Wahlberg, who ended his AHL goalless drought at 13 games. “But I was able to play my game and bring up the confidence again.”
It showed on Friday. He was assertive, poised with the puck and went driving to the net to shovel a rebound past goalie Isaac Poulter after Josh Dunne had kept the puck alive.
Paetsch said it was obvious Wahlberg was his old self even before the game began, however.
“Even when we met with him (upon his return from the WJC), I thought he had that aura,” Paetsch said.
The score stayed tied until Novikov scored his fourth goal of the season. Ranking third in plus/minus in the AHL at plus-21, the second-year defenseman continues to be more involved in the offense as well.
Shortly after an Amerks power play ended, Novikov gained control of the puck near the blue line and opted to attack. He weaved in on left wing, angling wide before whipping a sharp-angle shot from the left circle that somehow eluded Poulter.
Rosen’s 14th goal pushed the Amerks lead to 3-1 just 2:11 into the third period. Jobst approached the Utica blue line one-on-two but held up long enough for Rosen to join the rush. Jobst then sent the past to Rosen on right wing and he flew past defenseman Danill Misyul before zipping a shot 5-hole.
“He’s tough for defensemen to handle with that wide speed,” Paetsch said. “That was a big goal, it sort of changed the trajectory of the game.”
Rousek’s breakaway goal 2:07 later stretched the lead to 4-1 before Jobst converted Rousek’s centering pass on a power play at 12:42.
The goal was Jobst’s eighth, and fifth in the past four games. That after his 22-game slump.
“Finally they’re going in,” he said.
The good news during that drought: the Amerks weren’t needed, so the failure to contribute offensively wasn’t nearly as burdensome.
“You’re trying to figure out other ways to contribute,” he said.
While the Amerks won comfortably, they had been chasing the scoreboard for more than 20 minutes, trying to erase the 1-0 lead Ryan Schmelzer provided at 7:10 of the first period.
But that was the only shot Levi didn’t stop. He was especially sharp in the opening period, when Utica fired 14 shots on goal, largely because of 5:42 of continual power play.
“Not many teams have a goalie of that caliber,” Jobst said. “We’re blessed.”
A welcome addition
Winger Jagger Joshua made his Amerks debut after being acquired last Friday in a minor-league trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.
The Dearborn, Mich., native provides much-needed snarl and toughness up front. He had 10-15-25 along with 93 penalty minutes last season for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He split time between WB/S and Wheeling (ECHL) this year.
“I thought Jagger brought a different element, something we need,” Jobst said.
Said Paetsch: “I thought he played right to his identity. He brought what we asked him to do.”
Amerks have not won many games at home this season, especially by a 4 goal margin so last nights contest was fun to watch, after the 1st period. This is beginning to look like a team that is serious about making a run this season. 7 straight wins; 11 in last 12; 8 straight wins on the road. And a tie for first place in the AHL. None of this seemed realistic in October.
Now if the Sabres can mostly leave us alone, life will be good at the BCA.
Amerks actually scored a couple power play goals, although it must be said one was with a 2 man advantage and they had 8 power play chances. In many of them, the team looked disorganized. Something that still needs work but overall no real complaints. Utica has to be sick and tired of playing us. Amerks have won 7 of the 8 games between the two teams so far. They see each other only 4 times in the 2nd half.
Very nice crowd of 7,557. I expect crowds like that most every weekend game going forward, especially if the team continues play like they have.
It was good to see Wahlberg score a goal but I will never be convinced that leaving the team to play down in a juniors tournament is helpful to advance a pro career. But the organization will say whatever they need to say to justify it. Certainly did not help Kulich, or the Amerks last season. I will forever never agree with pros leaving their teams in the middle of a season to play in ‘tournaments’ or even the Olympics. But I’m a dinosaur on this, as the old ship has sailed, never to return.
In closing…it was a fun night at the hockey barn and Amerks are now 7-6-2 at home. They are playing with a swagger that is refreshing to see. Winning begets winning. Right now they play like they can’t lose. Hope they can keep the train rolling!
Minor note: Sweden lost their medal game to finish fourth. Helenius and Finland took home the silver.
While we are used to having offensive powerhouses this years team separates itself from the prior 2 years teams with something we haven’t seen in about 2 decades, a very strong defense! We have had some playoff success in 2022 and especially 2023 from teams not being able to shut down our extremely potent offense and timely goaltending from 2 different veteran goalies, in 2022 Aaron Dell in 2023 Malcolm Subban both having to stand on there heads at times with our not so great defense. This all said adding a much improved defense this year and an All Star goalie makes us probably a very legitimate Calder cup contender perhaps even a favorite from the Eastern conference. The teams win loss record speaks for itself, we constantly carry the play game after game as evidenced by the goal differential and shots on differential. If the Sabres leave this team intact I think they are a clear favorite to make it out of the north division in the playoffs. Perhaps Hershey or Charlotte could be good competition but right now I like our chances, especially against Hershey. Let’s hope the Sabres don’t mingle with this roster too much!
Its true, our D is much better and coupled with strong goaltending, Amerks should be a force to be reckoned with. But as we saw Saturday night, if you don’t bring your A game, any team can whip your butts, as the Crunch did to us with an overpowering performance.
Amerks do have flaws to be worked on. The most glaring is the power play which has been a mess all season. They don’t take advantage of the many opportunities afforded them, to put teams away. I’m not saying you should score on every one, but Amerks have been disorganized and impotent on far too many…and they also have allowed too many shorthanders along the way. Special teams can make or break you come playoff time.
But overall, this has been a decent team to watch so far. The showdown Sunday against Hershey will be fun as right now the two teams are 1-2 in the AHL. (there will be two showdowns Sunday as the Bills take on Baltimore…Lamar v. Josh!)